Mi remote on Xiaomi: what is this feature, how it works and why it is needed by smartphone owners

Introduction: why Xiaomi smartphones appeared “remote” and who it will be useful

If you’ve ever gone to standard apps on a Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphone POCO, You might have noticed a strange app with a remote icon, Mi Remote (or simply Remote), which at first glance seems useless: why would you duplicate the function of a physical remote control from a TV or air conditioner on a phone? In fact, it’s one of Xiaomi’s most underrated solutions, which can replace multiple remotes in the home — and more.

The Mi Remote is not just a virtual remote, but a full-fledged infrared transmitter built into most of the brand’s smartphones, which can send infrared signals (like a conventional remote) to TVs, audio systems, air conditioners and other equipment, but unlike physical remotes, it has databases with codes for thousands of devices, the ability to create macros (command chains) and even manage a smart home through the Mi Home.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 What is a Mi remote and how does it work at a technical level
• 📱 What Xiaomi smartphones support the feature (and why it is not in some models)
• 🖥️ What equipment is compatible with Mi Remote: from old TVs to modern air conditioners
• ⚙️ Step-by-step customization for beginners and hidden opportunities for advanced users
• ❌ Typical problems and how to solve them (from “not finding the device” to “not all buttons are working»)

If you thought the Mi remote was a useless feature to remove, by the end of the article you'll probably change your mind, and if you've already had experience with it, you'll find life hacks you didn't know about.

What is Mi Remote and how it works: technical details

Mi Remote is a standard application from Xiaomi that turns a smartphone into a universal remote control (DU). But unlike programs that simply emulate signals over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, it uses an infrared port (IR transmitter), which means that the phone can control any technology that supports IR remotes — even Released 20 years ago.

How does it work?

1. The IR transmitter at the top of the smartphone (usually next to the front camera) sends signals at 38 kHz, the standard for most household remotes.
2. Mi Remote has a codebase for thousands of devices, and when you set up, you select the brand and the model, and the program loads the corresponding commands.
3. When you click on a virtual button in the application, the smartphone sends an encrypted IR signal that recognizes the TV, air conditioner or other equipment.

One important caveat: the Mi Remote only works with technology that supports IR control, and modern devices with exclusively Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (such as some smart lamps or speakers) can't be controlled through this remote control, but it can handle:

• 📺 Televisions (including old models with CRT)
• ❄️ Air conditioning and split systems
• 🔊 Audio systems, soundbars, receivers
• 💡 Some smart lamps (if they support IR)
• 🎮 Game consoles (for example, PlayStation) 3/4)
• 📼 DVD/Blu-ray play-player

It doesn't require the Internet to work, all the codes are stored locally in the application, but you may need to connect to the network to set up the initial setup (finding a model).

What are Xiaomi, Redmi and Smartphones? POCO support the Mi remote

Not all Xiaomi devices have infrared ports, and recently the company has begun to abandon them in budget models to save space and reduce cost. However, most flagships and many mid-range smartphones still support the feature.

The IR port is available in the following series (2020-2026):

• 📱 Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra, Xiaomi 12/12 Pro/12S Ultra
• 📱 Redmi Note 11 Pro/Pro+/12 Pro/12 Pro+ (but not in all modifications!)
• 📱 POCO F4/F5/F6 Pro, POCO X5 Pro
• 📱 Mi 11/11 Pro/11 Ultra, Mi 10/10 Pro
• 📱 Redmi series K40/K50/K60 (Except for the most budget versions)

There is no IR port in these models:

• ❌ Redmi Note 10/10S/10 Pro (except Note) 10 Pro 5G)
• ❌ POCO X3/X4/X5 (budgetary versions)
• ❌ Xiaomi 13 Lite/12 Lite
• ❌ All models of the Redmi A line (for example, Redmi) A1/A2)

To find out if you have an IR port on your phone, check:

1. The Mi Remote app is on the menu (if it is not available, then there is no port).
2. Technical specifications on the official Xiaomi website (Section "Sensors" or "Features").
3. Physical inspection of the top of the screen – the IR transmitter looks like a small dark window (sometimes confused with a light sensor).

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If your phone does not have an IR port, but you really want to control equipment from a smartphone, you can buy an external IR blaster (for example, BroadLink). RM4 Pro or Xiaomi Mi Smart IR Remote. It's connected over Wi-Fi and it works through the Mi Home app.

What equipment is compatible with Mi Remote: a complete list of devices

One of the main advantages of Mi Remote is a wide base of supported devices.+ The list is regularly updated over the Internet (if you connect your smartphone to the network:

Televisions and media devices

• 📺 TVs: Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, TCL, Xiaomi TV, Hisense et al. (including older CRT models).
• 🎮 Game consoles: PlayStation 3/4/5 (Partially, Xbox One (IR-only), Nintendo Wii.
• 📀 Losers: DVD, Blu-ray, Apple TV (Some models, Xiaomi Mi Box.
• 🔊 Audio systems: soundbars, receivers (Yamaha, Pioneer, Denon), speakers with IR remotes.

Climate engineering

• ❄️ Air conditioning and split systems: Daikin, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Gree, LG, Samsung and others.
• 🌡️ Heaters: Some models with IR control (e.g. Electrolux, Ballu).
• 💨 Fans: ceiling and floor with support for remotes.

3. Smart home and stuff.

• 💡 Smart lamps: only those that support IR (e.g. some Yeelight models).
• 🚪 Curtains and blinds: motorized systems with IR remotes (Dooya, Somfy).
• 🔌 Sockets and switches: rare but common (e.g. BroadLink).

To check if your appliances are supported, open Mi Remote, click Add Device and select a category. The app will show you a list of compatible brands. If your model is not in the database, you can try:

1. Choose a similar model of the same brand.
2. Use the Learning feature (if available in your version of the app).
3. Add the device manually through the code (if you know the IR commands).

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Mi Remote even supports 10 to 15-year-old technology, if it works with infrared remotes, the main thing is to choose the right code in the database or configure training.

⚠️ Note: Some modern TVs (e.g. Samsung) QLED 2022+ or LG OLED C2/C3) use Bluetooth remotes instead of IR. In this case, Mi Remote will not be able to control all functions - only basic (on, switching channels, volume).

Step-by-step: how to set up Mi remote on Xiaomi

The Mi Remote setup takes no more than 5 minutes if your app is in the app database. Here is a detailed guide for beginners:

Step 1: Verification of the IR port and installation of the application

If the Mi Remote app is not on the menu:

1. Check if there is an IR port in your model (see table above).
2. If you have a port but no app, download it from Google Play (it’s called Mi Remote Controller).
3. For non-IR phones (like the Redmi Note 11), external IR blasters can be used, but this requires a separate setup via the Mi Home.

Step 2: Adding a new device

Open Mi Remote and follow the algorithm:

1. Press «+ Add the device».
2. Select a category of equipment (for example, "TV").
3. Specify your brand (if yours is not on the list, select “Other”).
4. The application will offer test commands – point the smartphone at the device and check whether the on/off is working.
5. If the test is successful, save the settings.

Step 3: Set up buttons and macros

After adding the device, it is possible to:

• 🔄 Change the location of the buttons (click "Edit" in the upper right corner).
• ⚡ Create a macro (chain of commands). For example, one button will include TV, switch HDMI1 and launch Netflix.
• 📱 Add a widget to the main screen for quick access.

Make sure your phone has an IR port|Check that the technology supports IR management|Charge your smartphone (setup may take time)|Direct your phone to the device from a distance of 1-3 meters|Disable other remotes to avoid interference-->

Step 4: Solving problems when setting up

If the device is not located:

• 🔋 Check the batteries in the original remote (if any) – it is possible that the equipment does not react due to the dead elements.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone and try again.
• 🔍 Try another brand or model manually (for example, instead of Samsung). UE55 Choose the Samsung Series 6).

Mi Remote: Macros, Voice Control and Mi Home Integration

Most users use Mi Remote only for basic functions like turning on the TV or switching channels, but there are hidden features in the app that will turn your smartphone into a real smart home control center.

1. Macros: One button for multiple actions

The Macrosa function allows you to combine several commands into a single button.

• 🎬 Cinema: Turns off lights (through a smart lamp), turns on TV, switch HDMI1, launcher.
• 😴 Good night: Turns off the TV, air conditioning and soundbar.
• 🎮 Game session: Includes PlayStation, switches TV At the desired entrance, disables notifications on the phone.

To create a macro:

1. Open Mi Remote and go to the Macros section.
2. Press «+ Add macros».
3. Select devices and commands that must be executed sequentially.
4. Save and assign a name (e.g., "Cinema").

2. Voice control via Google Assistant

If you have a Google Assistant setup, you can control the voice technique.

1. Link Mi Remote to Google Home (via the app settings).
2. Say, for example, “OK Google, turn on the TV in the living room.”
3. The assistant will send the team through Mi Remote.

⚠️ Restriction: only works with devices added to Mi Remote. For full management of a smart home, it is better to use Mi Home.

3.Integration with Mi Home for integrated management

If you have Xiaomi devices in the Mi Home ecosystem (e.g. smart lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaner), you can combine them with Mi Remote:

• 🔄 Create a script in Mi Home that will run on command from Mi Remote.
• 📱 For example: one button in the remote includes TV And it's running a robot vacuum cleaner at the same time.
• 🌐 This requires both apps (Mi Remote and Mi Home) to be linked to the same Xiaomi account.

Scheduled management

Some versions of Mi Remote have a Timer feature that allows you to:

• ⏰ Program your air conditioner to turn on 30 minutes before you return home.
• 🌅 Turn off the TV at 23:00 if you fall asleep in front of it.
• ☀️ Turn on the heater in the morning to wake up in a warm room.

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Macros and Mi Home integration transform Mi Remote from a simple remote control to a smart home control center, and remember that complex scenarios may require additional hardware (such as the Xiaomi gateway).

Typical Mi Remote Problems and How to Solve Them

Even a useful tool like Mi Remote has its pitfalls, and these are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

1. The device is not in the database

If your model is not on the list:

• 🔍 Try to choose a different brand or universal protocol (e.g., a different brand or a different protocol, NEC, RC5).
• 📱 Use the Learning feature (if available in your version of the app.
• 💬 Write in support of Xiaomi with a request to add your model – sometimes they promptly update the database.

2 Not all buttons work.

A common problem: the remote turns on the TV, but it doesn't change channels or adjust volume.

• 📋 You may have chosen the wrong model in the database. Try another one from the same brand.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and the device you control.
• 🛠️ Manually reassign the buttons in the Mi Remote settings (section "Edit»).

3.The application does not respond to pressing

If the buttons in Mi Remote do not work:

• 🔋 Check if the IR port is covered with a cover or film.
• 📱 Make sure the app has permission to use the camera (the IP port is sometimes tied to this permission).
• 🔄 Reinstall Mi Remote from Google Play.

4. Doesn't work after the firmware update

Sometimes after the update. MIUI Mi Remote stops recognizing devices:

• 📱 Clear the app cache in the phone settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Remote → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔄 Remove and add the device again.
• 📋 Check if the IR port settings are lost (in some firmware they need to be manually included in Settings). → Additionally. → Infrared port).

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Mi Remote is missing from the menu, it's not always a bug. In some regional firmware (e.g. Europe), the app may be hidden. APK from the official website of Xiaomi or through Google Play.

Mi Remote: What to do if the phone does not have an IR port

If your Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t have an infrared port, it doesn’t mean you can’t control your phone, and there are a few alternatives, from external devices to software workarounds.

1. External IR blasters

The most reliable way is to buy an external IR transmitter that connects to your phone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

• 📶 BroadLink RM4 Pro: manages Wi-Fi technology, supports voice assistants (Google Assistant, Alice).

The price of these gadgets is from 1,500 to 4000 rubles. They connect to the home network and allow you to control equipment even remotely (for example, turn on the air conditioner on the way home).

2. Universal applications for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-device

If your equipment supports control over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (for example, modern technology). TV Samsung or LG), can be used:

• 📺 Official Brand Apps: Samsung SmartThings, LG ThinQ, Sony Video & TV SideView.
• 🎮 Universal remotes: Unified Remote, AnyMote (working through the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, but require adjustments).

3. Voice assistants

If the technique is compatible with Google Assistant or Alice, you can control her voice:

• 🗣️ «Okay, Google, turn on the TV in the room».
• 🗣️ «Alice, set the air conditioner temperature at 22 degrees».

To do this, the device must be connected to the same account as the voice assistant.

4.Smart sockets and relays

For equipment that does not support remote control, you can use smart sockets (for example, Xiaomi Mi Smart Plug or Aqara).

• ⚡ Turn on/off power on schedule or by voice.
• 🔌 Control devices that do not have a remote (such as a desk lamp).

⚠️ Note: If you use an external IR blaster (e.g. BroadLink), make sure it is in line of sight.Walls and furniture can block the IR signal even if the device is connected to Wi-Fi.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Mi Remote